The UN Mission in South Sudan conducted aerial reconnaissance yesterday and identified some armed groups north-east of Bor, but it cannot confirm their size or precise location. On the humanitarian front, aid agencies have reached some 106,000 displaced people, but are $166 million short of a $209 million appeal.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Secretary-General strongly condemned the attack by 2,000 armed youth on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan base in Akobo, which had been sheltering civilians seeking refuge. Offering condolences to the families of the two fallen peacekeepers, as well as least 11 civilians, the Secretary-General urged top leaders to demonstrate compromise and resolve differences through dialogue.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, Babacar Gaye, said today the situation is improving, but remains fragile and unpredictable. In an interview with UN Radio, he also said there is no longer fighting in the capital, Bangui, and the disarmament of armed groups is ongoing. He said this improvement has to be consolidated.
Welcoming reports that South Sudan President Salva Kiir would be willing to enter talks with the political opposition, the Secretary-General called upon the Government to support the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, which is continuing to support civilians in its two compounds in Juba, now numbering close to 20,000 people, as well as several hundred in Jonglei.
The Secretary-General spoke with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, expressing his concern about the reports of fighting in Juba and reports that members of certain communities were being targeted. He said that up to 13,000 civilians have sought refuge at the UN compounds in Juba.
Concerning the final report of the UN Mission to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria, the Secretary-General noted with deep concern that the team substantiated reports that chemical weapons were used on numerous occasions at multiple sites, including on a small scale against both civilians and military targets.
The Secretary-General briefed the Security Council on his visit to Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad last month. He said he came back with a clear sense that much more needed to be done to fight poverty, empower women, provide employment opportunities for young people and ensure that all have what they need to build a better future.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, James Rawley, expressed concern over the Israeli authorities’ demolition of 30 Palestinian-owned structures in the Jordan Valley yesterday, resulting in the displacement of 41 people, including 24 children. He said the demolitions must be brought to an immediate halt.
Human Rights Day this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General said that promoting human rights is one of the core purposes of the United Nations and the key to success is the political will of Member States.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that, one month after Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines, humanitarian needs remain enormous, with nearly 15 million people affected, including some 4 million people displaced and more than 1 million homes destroyed or damaged. The UN and its partners are focusing on reaching the most vulnerable.